Elasticated material having directional stretch properties

Abstract

Elastic materials and absorbent articles comprising elastic materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the elastic material may include a first web material, a second web material bonded to the first web material, and a plurality of elastomeric strands extending in a transverse direction and disposed between the first web material and the second web material. The material may include a pair of adhesive portions disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands and spaced apart on the elastomeric strands by a distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands. Furthermore, under a given tension along a first length of the elastic material, the elastic material may exhibit a first elongation in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, and under the given tension along a second length of the elastic material, it may exhibit a second elongation in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201780085866.9 entitled "Elastomeric Material with Directional Tensile Properties", filed on April 27, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 464,640, filed on February 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to elastomeric materials, and more specifically to elastomeric materials having directional tensile properties. Background Technology

[0004] Elastomers are used in many different applications, including in a variety of clothing and absorbent articles. These elastomers can be used as part of belts, leg braces, barrier braces, or other components of clothing and absorbent articles to provide a beneficial fit, thereby helping to prevent the leakage of bodily exudates, or to provide other benefits.

[0005] Many existing garments and absorbent articles include an elastomer comprising elastic strands located between material layers and secured to the material layers with an adhesive. Some prior art elastomers attempt to eliminate the adhesive to facilitate securing the elastic strands to the material layers using separate, individual adhesive portions. The distance across the elastic strands in these prior art materials that positions the adhesive portions is less than the untensioned diameter of the elastic strands. Some exemplary prior art materials are found in U.S. Patent No. 6,291,039, granted to Cera France Compagnie d'Equipment Robotique Appliquee, entitled "Ruffling Slide and Method for Making Same". This particular structural configuration holds the elastic strands between adhesive portions within the elastomer. These adhesive-free elastomers offer a cost advantage because they do not require an adhesive to secure the elastomeric strands within the elastomer. Therefore, in addition to functional or aesthetic benefits, additional elastomers that do not require adhesives may be desirable in helping to reduce the overall cost of absorbent articles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure relates to elastic materials, and more specifically to elastic materials having directional tensile properties. Generally, the elastic materials of this disclosure are configured such that they possess specific sets of desired tensile properties. For example, the elastic materials of this disclosure may have a first set of tensile properties along a first length of the material and a second set of tensile properties along a second length. Other elastic materials of this disclosure may have symmetrical and / or continuous tensile properties, allowing the elastic material to stretch in all directions. These different tensile properties can be targeted at specific areas of absorbent articles or garments, such as waistbands or leg elastics, to enhance the overall fit, functionality, and / or aesthetics of the absorbent articles or garments.

[0007] In a first embodiment, the elastomeric material may include a first layer material, a second layer material bonded to the first layer material by a first pair of adhesive portions including a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion, and a second pair of adhesive portions including a third adhesive portion and a fourth adhesive portion, and an elastomeric strand extending in a transverse direction and disposed between the first and second layers material. The first pair of adhesive portions and the second pair of adhesive portions may be spaced apart along the elastomeric strand. Furthermore, the first and third adhesive portions may be located on a first side of the elastomeric strand, and the second and fourth adhesive portions may be located on a second side of the elastomeric strand. The first adhesive portion may cross the elastomeric strand on the opposite side of the second adhesive portion and be separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand, and the third adhesive portion may cross the elastomeric strand on the opposite side of the fourth adhesive portion and be separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand. Additionally, the first and third adhesive portions may include a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion of the first adhesive portion forms a first angle relative to the elastomeric strand, and the first side portion of the third adhesive portion forms a second angle relative to the elastomeric strand. The first angle may be different from the second angle.

[0008] In a second embodiment, the elastic material of the first embodiment may further include a third pair of adhesive portions, comprising a fifth adhesive portion and a sixth adhesive portion. The first, second, and third adhesive portions may all be spaced apart along the elastomer strand, wherein the first, third, and fifth adhesive portions are located on a first side of the elastomer strand, and the second, fourth, and sixth adhesive portions are located on a second side of the elastomer strand. The fifth adhesive portion may cross the elastomer strand on the opposite side of the sixth adhesive portion and be separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the unstretched diameter of the elastomer strand. Furthermore, the first, third, and fifth adhesive portions may all include a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion of the fifth adhesive portion forms a third angle relative to the elastomer strand. The first, second, and third angles may all be different.

[0009] In the third embodiment, the elastic material of the first or second embodiment may further include a third pair of adhesive portions, which includes a fifth adhesive portion and a sixth adhesive portion. The fifth adhesive portion may cross the elastomer strand on the opposite side of the sixth adhesive portion and be separated by a longitudinal distance greater than or equal to the unstretched diameter of the elastomer strand.

[0010] In the fourth embodiment, the third pair of adhesive portions in the third embodiment can be positioned between the first pair of adhesive portions and the second pair of adhesive portions along the elastomer strand.

[0011] In the fifth embodiment, the first angle of any one of the first to fourth embodiments may be between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees, and the second angle may be between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees.

[0012] In the sixth embodiment, the first angle of any one of the first to fifth embodiments may be between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees, and the second angle may be between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees.

[0013] In the seventh embodiment, the first and second layer materials of any one of the first to sixth embodiments can be composed of separate material fiber webs.

[0014] In the eighth embodiment, the first layer material and the second layer material of any one of the first to sixth embodiments may be composed of a single material web, wherein the single material web is folded on the elastomeric strands to form the first layer material and the second layer material.

[0015] In the ninth embodiment, the elastic material may include a first web material, a second web material bonded to the first web material by a plurality of adhesive portions, and a plurality of elastomeric strands extending in the transverse direction and disposed between the first web material and the second web material. A first number of the side portions of the plurality of adhesive portions may form a first adhesive line passing through the plurality of elastomeric strands, the first adhesive line forming a first adhesive line angle relative to the plurality of elastomeric strands, wherein at least one pair of adhesive portions forming the first adhesive line may be disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands and spaced apart by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands. A second number of the side portions of the plurality of adhesive portions may form a second adhesive line passing through the plurality of elastomeric strands and transversely spaced from the first adhesive line, the second adhesive line forming a second adhesive line angle relative to the plurality of elastomeric strands, wherein at least one pair of adhesive portions forming the second adhesive line may be disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands and spaced apart by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands. The angle of the first bonding line can be different from the angle of the second bonding line.

[0016] In the tenth embodiment, the elastic material of the ninth embodiment may further include a third number of side portions of the plurality of adhesive portions, the side portions forming a third adhesive line. This third adhesive line passes through the plurality of elastomeric strands and is laterally spaced from the first and second adhesive lines. The third adhesive line forms a third adhesive line angle relative to the plurality of elastomeric strands. At least one pair of adhesive portions forming the third adhesive line may be disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands and spaced apart by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands. The first adhesive line angle, the second adhesive line angle, and the third adhesive line angle may all be different.

[0017] In the eleventh embodiment, the elastic material of the ninth embodiment may further include a third number of side portions of the plurality of adhesive portions, the side portions forming a third adhesive line passing through the plurality of elastomeric strands and laterally spaced from the first adhesive line and the second adhesive line, wherein at least one pair of longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions of the third number of adhesive portions are disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands in the plurality of elastomeric strands and are spaced apart by a longitudinal distance greater than or equal to the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands in the plurality of elastomeric strands.

[0018] In the twelfth embodiment, the third bonding line of the eleventh embodiment may be located between the first bonding line and the second bonding line.

[0019] In the thirteenth embodiment, the first and second material fiber webs of any one of the ninth to twelfth embodiments can be composed of separate material fiber webs.

[0020] In the fourteenth embodiment, the first material fiber web and the second material fiber web of any one of the ninth to twelfth embodiments can be composed of a single material fiber web, and the single material fiber web can be folded on the plurality of elastomeric strands to form the first material fiber web and the second material fiber web.

[0021] In the fifteenth embodiment, the first bonding line angle of any one of the ninth to fourteenth embodiments may be between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees, and the second bonding line angle may be between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees.

[0022] In the sixteenth embodiment, the first bonding line angle of any one of the ninth to fifteenth embodiments may be between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees, and the second bonding line angle may be between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees.

[0023] In the seventeenth embodiment, the elastic material may include a first fiber web material, a second fiber web material bonded to the first fiber web material by a plurality of adhesive portions, and a plurality of elastomeric strands extending in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and disposed between the first and second fiber web materials. The plurality of adhesive portions may include at least a first pair of adhesive portions disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands, and spaced apart along the elastomeric strands by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands among the plurality of elastomeric strands. Furthermore, under a given tension applied in the longitudinal direction along a first length of the elastic material, the elastic material may exhibit a first elongation in the longitudinal direction, and under a given tension applied in the longitudinal direction along a second length of the elastic material, the elastic material may exhibit a second elongation in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the first elongation may differ from the second elongation.

[0024] In the eighteenth embodiment, under a given tension force applied in the longitudinal direction along the third length of the elastic material, the elastic material of the seventeenth embodiment can exhibit a third elongation in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] In the nineteenth embodiment, the plurality of adhesive portions in the seventeenth or eighteenth embodiment may further include at least a second pair of adhesive portions disposed on opposite sides of the plurality of elastomeric strands and spaced apart on the elastomeric strands by a longitudinal distance greater than or equal to the untensioned diameter of the plurality of elastomeric strands, and the second pair of adhesive portions may be longitudinally adjacent.

[0026] In the twentieth embodiment, the elastic material of any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth embodiments may include a waistband for absorbent articles.

[0027] The above-described summary of the invention is not intended to describe every embodiment or every implementation of the invention. The advantages and achievements, as well as a more complete understanding of the invention, will be understood and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0028] This disclosure can be more fully understood in light of the following detailed description of various embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 It is a plan view of the elastic material according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 It is observed along line 2-2. Figure 1 The cross-section of the elasticized material;

[0031] Figure 3 is Figure 1A close-up plan view of a portion of the elasticized material;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a plan view of a stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands of the elastomeric material.

[0033] Figure 5 It is a plan view of another stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of this disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a plan view of another stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands of the elastomeric material and regions of bonded portions having different longitudinal spacings.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent article including an elastic material according to various aspects of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a plan view of an exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 7 Part of the absorbent material belt;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a plan view of another exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 7 Part of the absorbent material belt;

[0038] Figure 10 This is a plan view of an exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 7 A part of the absorbent material's leg brace;

[0039] Figure 11 It is a plan view of another stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of this disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands;

[0040] Figure 12 It is a plan view of another stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of this disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands of the elastomeric material.

[0041] Figure 13 It is a plan view of another stretched elastomeric material according to various aspects of this disclosure, the stretched elastomeric material including a plurality of bonded portions having different angles relative to the elastomeric strands;

[0042] Figure 14 This is a plan view of another exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 7 Part of the absorbent material belt;

[0043] Figure 15 This is a plan view of another exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 7 A part of the absorbent material's leg brace;

[0044] Figure 16 This is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent article including an elastic material according to various aspects of the present invention; and

[0045] Figure 17 This is a plan view of an exemplary elastic material, which may include... Figure 16 The ear portion of the absorbent material.

[0046] While this disclosure may have various modifications and alternatives, its details have been exemplarily shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to limit its aspects to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0047] This disclosure generally relates to elastomeric materials with directional tensile properties. Elastomeric materials may not require adhesives to hold the elastomeric strands of the material within the material. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the elastomeric materials disclosed herein may also benefit from the application of adhesives. Furthermore, specific shapes and / or locations of the adhesive portions can be used to impart different tensile properties along different portions of the elastomeric material, or to impart symmetrical and / or continuous tensile properties to the material. This disclosure details many different materials that can be formed by using adhesive portions of different shapes along different portions of the material, and how elastomeric materials can be used in clothing and absorbent articles to enhance the fit and / or functionality of the articles.

[0048] Each example is given illustratively and is not intended to be limiting. For example, a feature illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or drawing may be used in another embodiment or drawing to produce yet another embodiment. This disclosure is intended to include such modifications and variations.

[0049] Although some suitable dimensions, ranges and / or values ​​relating to various components, features and / or specifications are disclosed, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates will understand that the required dimensions, ranges and / or values ​​may deviate from those explicitly disclosed.

[0050] When describing elements of this disclosure or its preferred embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to indicate the presence of one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements besides those listed. Many modifications and variations of this disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

[0051] definition:

[0052] The term "absorbent article" herein refers to an article that can be placed close to or near the wearer's body (i.e., adjacent to the body) to absorb and contain various liquid, solid, and semi-solid excretions from the body. As described herein, such absorbent articles are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use, rather than washed or otherwise restored for reuse. It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, this disclosure applies to a wide range of disposable absorbent articles, including but not limited to diapers, diaper pants, training pants, toddler pants, swim trunks, feminine hygiene products (including but not limited to menstrual pads or menstrual pants), incontinence products, adult diapers and shorts, medical clothing, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or health care clothing, etc.

[0053] The terms “bond,” “attach,” or “join” in this document refer to the joining, adhesion, connection, or attachment of two elements. Two elements are considered bonded, attached, or joined together when they are joined, adhered, connected, or attached to each other directly or indirectly, such as when each element is directly bonded to an intermediate element. Bonding, attachment, or joining of one element to another can be achieved through continuous or intermittent bonding.

[0054] The term "carded web" as used herein refers to a web comprising natural or synthetic staple length fibers typically less than about 100 mm in length. Short fiber bundles may undergo an open process to separate the fibers subsequently transported to a carding process, which separates and combs the fibers to align them longitudinally, after which the fibers are deposited on moving filaments for further processing. Such webs typically undergo some type of bonding process, such as thermal bonding using heat and / or pressure. Alternatively, the fibers may undergo an adhesive process to bond the fibers together, for example, by using a powdered adhesive. Carded webs may undergo fluid entanglement, such as hydroentangling, to further entangle the fibers, thereby improving the integrity of the carded web. Due to the longitudinal alignment of the fibers, a carded web, once bonded, typically has greater longitudinal strength than transverse strength.

[0055] The term "membrane" herein refers to a thermoplastic film prepared using extrusion and / or forming methods such as cast film or blown film extrusion methods. This term includes open-cell membranes, slit membranes, and other porous membranes constituting liquid transfer membranes, as well as membranes that do not transfer liquids, such as, but not limited to, barrier membranes, filled membranes, permeable membranes, and oriented membranes.

[0056] The term “gsm” in this article refers to grams per square meter.

[0057] The term "hydrophilicity" in this document refers to the wettability of a fiber or fiber surface by an aqueous liquid in contact with the fiber. The degree of wetting of a material can be described by the contact angle and surface tension of the liquid and material involved. Apparatus and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of specific fiber materials or blends of fiber materials are available from the Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System or substantially equivalent systems. When using this system, fibers with a contact angle less than 90° are considered "wettable" or hydrophilic, and fibers with a contact angle greater than 90° are considered "non-wettable" or hydrophobic.

[0058] The term "meltblown" herein refers to fibers formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as molten wires or filaments through multiple thin, typically circular, die capillaries into a converging, high-velocity stream of heated gas (e.g., air). This high-velocity gas stream thins the molten thermoplastic material filaments to reduce their diameter, which may be the diameter of a microfiber. The meltblown fibers are then carried by the high-velocity gas stream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed molten fibers. Such a method is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers, which may be continuous or discontinuous, typically less than about 0.6 denier, and may be sticky and self-adhesive when deposited on a collecting surface.

[0059] The term "nonwoven fabric" as used herein refers to a material or web of material formed without the aid of a weaving or knitting process. The material or web may have a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads (collectively referred to as "fibers"), which may be interlaid, but not in the same recognizable manner as knitted fabrics. Nonwoven materials or webs can be formed by a variety of processes, including, but not limited to, meltblowing, spunbonding, carding, and hydroentanglement.

[0060] The term "spunbond" herein refers to small-diameter fibers formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from multiple fine capillaries having a spinneret of a circular or other configuration, and then rapidly reducing the diameter of the extruded filaments by conventional processes such as drawing and the processes described in the following patents: U.S. Patent No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Patent Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Patent No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Patent No. 3,502,538 to Peterson, and U.S. Patent No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The spunbond fibers are generally continuous and typically have an average denier greater than about 0.3, and in one embodiment between about 0.6, 5, and 10 and about 15, 20, and 40. When deposited on a collection surface, the spunbond fibers are generally non-sticky.

[0061] When used herein to describe a portion of a material or article, the term "elasticized" means that the material or article is made of a non-elastic sheet material coupled to an elastomeric material, such as one or more elastomeric strips or strands, such that the material or article exhibits elastic properties.

[0062] The term "thermoplastic" in this article refers to a material that can soften and be molded when exposed to heat and substantially return to its unsoftened state when cooled.

[0063] The terms "user" or "caregiver" in this document refer to a person who applies absorbent materials, such as, but not limited to, diapers, training pants, toddler pants, incontinence products, or other absorbent materials, around the wearer of one of these absorbent materials. The user and the wearer can be the same person.

[0064] Elastic materials:

[0065] Figure 1 This is a top plan view depicting a portion of an exemplary elastomeric material 10. The elastomeric material 10 typically extends in a longitudinal direction 31 and a transverse direction 32 between a top sheet edge 11 and a bottom sheet edge 13. The elastomeric material 10 typically includes a first layer material 12, a second layer material 14, elastomeric strands 16, and adhesive portions 20. As will be described in more detail below, at least some of the adhesive portions 20 may be positioned on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands 16 such that the adhesive portions 20 secure or "capture" portions of the elastomeric strands 16 to a suitable location within the elastomeric material 10.

[0066] In at least some embodiments, the elastic material 10 may be formed of elastomeric strands 16 under tension. When the elastic material 10 is allowed to relax, the elastomeric strands 16 contract between the captured portions, resulting in the formation of valleys 15 and ridges 17 within the elastic material 10. Figure 2 The structure of the elastic material 10, including the valleys 15 and ridges 17, can be seen more clearly in the image. Figure 2 It is observed along line 2-2. Figure 1 The cross-section of the elastic material 10 is shown, with line 2-2 drawn perpendicular to the ridge 15 and valley 17 of the elastic material 10.

[0067] Figure 3A Depicting Figure 1 A close-up view of circle 33 shows one of the elastomeric strands 16 of the adhesive portion 20 and the elastic material 10 in more detail. Specifically, Figure 3A The outer edge of the elastomer strand 16 as it passes between the bonding portions 20 is depicted by dashed lines, including the bonding portions 20a and 20b that capture the strand 16. It can be seen that... Figure 3A The elastomeric strand 16 may have non-capturing portions 21 and capturing portions 22 alternating in lateral length along the elastomeric strand 16.

[0068] To form a material such as elastic material 10, wherein the elastomeric strand 16 includes a non-capturing portion 21 and a capturing portion 22, the elastomeric strand 16 can be stretched before or during its positioning between the first layer material 12 and the second layer material 14. The elastomeric strand 16 may have an unstretched outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the elastomeric strand 16 may decrease as the strand 16 is stretched. Therefore, before or during the placement of the strand 16 between the first layer material 12 and the second layer material 14, the outer diameter of the elastomeric strand 16 may be smaller than its unstretched outer diameter. Then, at least some of the adhesive portions 20 of the material 10, for example... Figure 3A The bonding portions 20a and 20b can be placed on opposite sides of the stretched elastomer strand 16 and longitudinally spaced apart by a longitudinal distance 25 on the elastomer strand 16. In some embodiments, the longitudinal distance 25 can be approximately equal to the outer diameter of the strand 16 when the bonding portions 20a and 20b are formed. In other embodiments, the longitudinal distance 25 can be greater than the outer diameter of the strand 16 when the bonding portions 20a and 20b are formed, but less than the outer diameter of the untensioned diameter of the strand 16.

[0069] When the elastomer strand 16 is allowed to relax, the outer diameter of the elastomer strand 16 typically increases toward the untensioned outer diameter of the elastomer strand 16. However, as Figure 3AAs shown, this expansion is suppressed in the capturing portion 22 of the elastomer strand 16 by adhesive portions 20, which are positioned on the strand 16 at a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the strand 16, such as adhesive portions 20a, 20b. Figure 3A The elastic strand 16 relaxes and contracts from a stretched state, and the uncaptured portion 21 of the elastic strand 16 expands in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the outer diameter of the elastic strand 16 increases), thereby causing... Figure 3A The structure shown has the elastic strand 16 shown as having an extended outer diameter 23 in the non-capturing portion 21.

[0070] In some embodiments, the extended diameter 23 may be the same as the untensioned diameter of the elastic strand 16, but this may not be the case in other embodiments. For example, the specific construction of the type of elastic strand 16, the amount of elongation of the elastic strand 16 during the forming process, and the position of the bonding portion 20 relative to the elongated elastic strand 16 (both the longitudinal distance 25 between the bonding portions 20 across the elastic strand 16 and the lateral distance between the bonding portions 20) can prevent the diameter of the elastic strand 16 in the uncaptured portion 21 from extending all the way back to the untensioned diameter of the strand 16. Therefore, in some embodiments, the extended diameter 23 in the uncaptured portion 21 of at least some of the elastic strands 16 of the material 10 may still be smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastic strand 16.

[0071] Fiber mesh material:

[0072] Generally, the first layer material 12 and the outer layer material 14 can be made of any material suitable for any other body contact or non-body contact portion of a belt, leg brace, or clothing or absorbent article. Layers 12 and 14 can be made of the same material or different materials. In various intended embodiments, each of layers 12 and 14 may include a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, etc. Additionally, layers 12 and 14 may include two separate material webs located on opposite sides of the elastomer strands 16 to form the elastic material 10, or layers 12 and 14 may include a folded single material web such that a first portion of the material web is located on a first side of the elastomer strands 16, and a second portion of the material web is located on a second side of the elastomer strands 16 to form the elastic material 10.

[0073] Exemplary suitable material categories for layers 12 and 14 include synthetic fibers (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), combinations of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, mesh foams, perforated plastic films, etc. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other thermally bondable fibers, polyolefins, such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, porous membrane webs, mesh materials, etc., and combinations thereof.

[0074] In addition, various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for layers 12 and 14. Layers 12 and 14 may include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, polymer films, membrane fabric laminates, and combinations thereof. Examples of nonwoven fabrics may include spunbond fabrics, meltblown fabrics, co-formed fabrics, carded webs, bonded carded webs, bicomponent spunbond fabrics, spunlace fabrics, and combinations thereof.

[0075] For example, layers 12 and 14 may be composed of meltblown or spunbond polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, layers 12 and 14 may be bonded carded webs composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. Layers 12 and 14 may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant may be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brushing, etc. The surfactant may be applied to the entire layer 12 and 14, or selectively to specific sections of layers 12 and 14. Some specific exemplary materials suitable for layers 12 and 14 include 100% polypropylene bonded carded webs in the range of 5 to 150 gsm. Other exemplary suitable materials include spunbond polypropylene nonwoven webs in the range of 5 to 150 gsm. Other exemplary materials may have a basis weight higher than 150 gsm.

[0076] In one embodiment, layers 12, 14 may be constructed from a nonwoven bicomponent fiber web. The nonwoven bicomponent fiber web may be a spunbond bicomponent fiber web or a bonded carded bicomponent fiber web. Examples of bicomponent short fibers include polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fibers. In this particular bicomponent fiber, polypropylene forms the core, and polyethylene forms the outer sheath of the web. Fibers with other orientations (e.g., multi-lobed, side-by-side, end-to-end) may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In one embodiment, layers 12, 14 may be a spunbond substrate with a basis weight of about 8 to about 50 gsm. In one embodiment, layers 12, 14 may be a 12 gsm spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate. In another embodiment, layers 12, 14 may be an 8 gsm spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate.

[0077] Elastomer stock line:

[0078] Suitable elastomeric materials for the elastomer strand 16 may include, but are not limited to, spandex elastomer strands, strands of natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomer materials, or heat-activated elastomer materials. The elastomer strand 16 may be any elastomer material capable of elongating at least about 50%, preferably about 350%, and after elongation of about 300%, capable of recovering to at least about 250% of its original length, preferably within about 150%. The elastomer strand 16 may be spandex elastomer strands, such as LYCRA yarn commercially available from EIDupont de Nemours and Co. Alternatively, the elastomer strand 16 may be composed of a thermoplastic elastomer or of natural or synthetic rubber commercially available from JPSElastomerics Corp. Alternatively, the elastomer strand 16 may also be composed of a heat-activated elastomerizing material such as PEBAX commercially available from Atochem, Inc., which can be activated by heat treatment after the elastomer strand 16 has been disposed within the elastomerizing material 10 and the bond portion 20 has been formed. In at least some embodiments, the diameter of the elastomer strands can be in the range of about 10 deniers to about 1500 deniers.

[0079] Adhesive part:

[0080] The adhesive portion 20 can be formed using any suitable bonding technique, such as thermal / heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, or other known bonding techniques. Generally, as will be described in more detail below, the adhesive portion 20 can be formed using a patterned component and a smoothing component. To form the adhesive portion 20, layers 12, 14 and elastomeric strands 16 disposed therebetween are positioned between the patterned component and the smoothing component, and there is proper alignment between any feature of the patterned component and the elastomeric strands 16. For example, the elastomeric strands 16 can be positioned between protrusions of raised portions of the patterned component.

[0081] For example, in the case of forming the adhesive portion 20 using thermal bonding, pressure bonding, or rotational ultrasonic bonding techniques, the patterning component and the smoothing component may be a patterning roller and a smoothing roller, respectively. In such an embodiment, the patterning roller may include a plurality of protrusions projecting from the surface of the patterning roller. The protrusions may generally correspond to the shape of the adhesive portion 20 and be aligned on the surface of the patterning roller to produce longitudinal and transverse alignment of the adhesive portion 20, as shown in different embodiments of the elasticized material of this disclosure. The smoothing roller may typically be a solid roller with a smooth outer surface.

[0082] The thermal bonding technique that can be used to form the bonded portion 20 may include heating the raised portion of the pattern roller to between approximately 70°C and approximately 340°C. Generally, the heating level should be less than the level that would cause the elastic strands 16 to melt during the formation of the bonded portion. When the raised portion is at the appropriate temperature, the pattern roller can be pressed against the smoothing roller, with layers 12, 14 and the elastomer strands 16 located between the rollers. As some examples, the compressive force used to form the bonded portion 20 may be between approximately 500 kPa and approximately 2750 kPa, and layers 12, 14 and the elastomer strands 16 may pass between the pattern roller and the anvil roller at speeds between approximately 100 meters per minute (mpm) and approximately 350 (mpm).

[0083] Rotary ultrasonic bonding technology, which can be used to form the bond 20, can use ultrasonic energy to form the bond 20. For example, when layers 12, 14 and elastomer strands 16 pass between the pattern roller and the smooth roller of a rotary ultrasonic bonding machine, the smooth roller can vibrate at a frequency between about 20,000 Hz and about 50,000 Hz, thereby causing the interior of layers 12, 14 to heat up to the point that layers 12, 14 melt together to form the bond 20.

[0084] The pressure bonding technique used to form the bonded portion 20 is similar to the thermal bonding technique described above, except that it does not require applying external heat to the raised portion of the patterning roller. However, to compensate for the raised portion which is only at ambient temperature, the compressive force applied to the patterning roller and smoothing roller to form the bonded portion 20 must be significantly increased. In some instances, the compressive force is applied to generate a roll gap force of about 0.1 kN to about 5 kN, while layers 12, 14 and elastomer strands 16 pass between the patterning roller and the anvil roller at speeds between about 15 mpm and 450 mpm.

[0085] In non-rotational ultrasonic bonding techniques that can be used to form the bond 20, the patterning element and anvil element can be a smooth ultrasonic amplifier and a patterned anvil. In such embodiments, the anvil component may have raised portions, while the ultrasonic amplifier has a generally smooth surface. Similar to rotational ultrasonic techniques, as layers 12, 14 and the elastomer strands 16 pass between the ultrasonic amplifier and the patterned anvil, the ultrasonic amplifier may vibrate at a frequency between approximately 20,000 Hz and approximately 50,000 Hz. This applied ultrasonic energy causes the interior of layers 12, 14 to heat to the point that layers 12, 14 melt together to form the bond 20.

[0086] Generally, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and pressure bonding techniques are known in the art. It should be understood that the parameters described for different techniques are merely exemplary and suitable parameters. As is known in the art, these techniques can be used to form bond portions 20 using such techniques operated with other suitable parameters. For example, PCT patent application WO 2010 / 068150, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BONDING,” describes in detail a method and apparatus for performing pressure bonding, which can be used to form bond portions 20 of the bonding pattern described in this disclosure using many different suitable parameters; this patent application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It should also be understood that, apart from potentially resulting in different strengths of the bond portions, different methods of forming the bond portion 20 do not significantly affect the final structure of the elastomeric material. However, all these known techniques are capable of producing bond portions strong enough to resist the expansion of the elastomeric strands located between the bond portions without breaking. Therefore, the bond portion 20 can be formed according to any known bonding technique without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0087] Generally, the adhesive portion 20 of the elastomeric material disclosed herein can have any suitable size or shape. However, in at least some embodiments, the adhesive portion can be between about 50 square micrometers and about 20 square millimeters, or between about 70 square micrometers and about 10 square millimeters, or between about 250 square micrometers and about 5 square millimeters. Additionally, in some embodiments, the dimension of the adhesive portion 20 in a direction generally parallel to the elastomeric strand 16 can be about 2 to about 6 times the dimension of the adhesive portion 20 generally perpendicular to the elastomeric strand 16. For example, in Figure 3A In one embodiment, the lateral dimension of the adhesive portion 20 may be approximately 2 to approximately 6 times the longitudinal dimension 31 of the adhesive portion 20.

[0088] Additionally, it should be understood that adhesive portions can typically have any longitudinal and / or transverse spacing. For example, longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions of adhesive portion 20 (such as...) Figure 3AThe longitudinal spacing of 20a and 20b or 20a and 20c can vary depending on whether the elastomer strands 16 are provided between longitudinally adjacent bond portions. In some embodiments, the longitudinal spacing (represented by longitudinal distance 25) between longitudinally adjacent bond portions 20a and 20b can be smaller than the longitudinal spacing (represented by longitudinal distance 26) between longitudinally adjacent bond portions 20b and 20c, wherein no elastomer strands 16 are provided between bond portions 20a and 20c. For example, the longitudinal spacing between longitudinally adjacent bond portions 20a and 20b can be smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 16, while the longitudinal spacing between longitudinally adjacent bond portions 20a and 20c can have any suitable longitudinal spacing, including spacing larger than the untensioned diameter of any elastomer strands 16 of material 10. As some illustrative examples, the longitudinal spacing between longitudinally adjacent bond portions (such as bond portions 20a and 20c) where no elastomer strands 16 are provided can vary between about 1 mm and about 500 mm.

[0089] Throughout material 10, the lateral spacing between adjacent adhesive portions of adhesive portion 20 can be the same or can be varied. For example, in some embodiments, the lateral spacing between adjacent adhesive portions located near the elastomer strand 16 (e.g., adhesive portions 20a, 20d), represented by lateral distance 38, can be smaller than the lateral spacing between adjacent adhesive portions not located near the elastomer strand 16 (e.g., adhesive portions 20c, 20e), represented by lateral distance 39. Additionally, in some embodiments, the lateral spacing between adjacent adhesive portions can even vary between pairs of adjacent adhesive portions not adjacent to the elastomer strand 16. For example, when used in garments or absorbent articles, the lateral spacing of adhesive portions 20 can vary in different areas of the garment or article to impart a desired pattern or softness to the material. As some non-limiting examples, the lateral spacing between adjacent adhesive portions of adhesive portion 20 can vary between about 1 mm and about 500 mm.

[0090] Figure 3AAdditional features of the adhesive portion 20 are described in detail. For example, the adhesive portion 20 may include a top portion 34, a bottom portion 36 opposite to the top portion 34, a first side portion 35, and a second side portion 37 opposite to the first side portion 35. It can be seen that, in at least some embodiments, the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 forms an angle relative to the elastomeric strand 16. For example, it can be seen that the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20a forms an angle 40 relative to the transverse axis 28 of the elastomeric strand 16. The angle of the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 can provide the material 10 with the desired tensile properties, which will be explained in more detail herein. It can also be seen that, in at least some embodiments, the top portions 34 and bottom portions 36 of laterally adjacent adhesive portions of the adhesive portion 20 may be substantially aligned. However, in other embodiments, the top portions 34 and bottom portions 36 of laterally adjacent adhesive portions may not be substantially aligned, but may be staggered.

[0091] Although shown as a general rectangle, and more specifically as a parallelogram, the adhesive portion 20 can be any suitable shape. For example, the adhesive portion 20 can be circular, semi-circular, elliptical, semi-elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, rhomboid, etc. In some embodiments, the adhesive portion 20 can have three, four, five, six, or any other suitable number of sides.

[0092] In at least some embodiments, the adhesive portion 20 can form a generally longitudinally extending line, such as Figure 1 As can be seen in the text. For example, such as... Figure 3A As shown, the first side portions 35 of longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions of adhesive portion 20 can be aligned to form an adhesive line 27, which coincides with the first side portions 35 of each longitudinally adjacent adhesive portion along a single adhesive line 27. Figure 3A One embodiment depicts the adhesive portion 20 as having a first side portion 35 forming an angle 40 relative to the transverse axis 28 of the elastomer strand 16, and wherein the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 is aligned along the adhesive line 27.

[0093] exist Figure 1 and Figure 3A In one embodiment, the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 includes the entire side edge of the adhesive portion 20. In other embodiments, the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 may include a vertex, for example, in the case where the adhesive portion 20 is rectangular and oriented perpendicularly to the elastomer strand 16 (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 3C ), or, in the case that the adhesive portion 20 is circular or elliptical, includes a point on the curved side (see Figure 3BTherefore, generally speaking, regardless of shape, the adhesive portion 20 can be aligned such that the outermost point of the adhesive portion 20 forming the first side portion 35 is aligned to form the adhesive line 27. For simplicity, the adhesive portion of the elastic material of this disclosure will be described as having a first side portion with an angle relative to the formation angle of the elastic strand, but it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0094] Therefore, in implementing schemes such as Figure 3B and Figure 3C In one embodiment, the first side portions 35', 35" of the adhesive portions 20', 20" may not form a perceptible angle 40', 40" relative to the transverse axis 28', 28" of the elastomer strand 16'. However, in such an embodiment, the adhesive portions 20', 20" may be aligned along the adhesive line 27', and the adhesive line 27' itself may form an angle relative to the transverse axis 28', 28" of the elastomer strand 16'. The angle formed by the adhesive line 27' relative to the transverse axis 28', 28" of the elastomer strand 16' may have a value substantially approximating the value described herein with respect to angle 40. In these embodiments, where the first side portions 35', 35" do not form a perceptible angle 40', 40" relative to the transverse axis 28', 28" of the elastomer strand 16', but the adhesive line 27' is formed, the material 10 may still exhibit the beneficial tensile properties described herein. Figure 3B and Figure 3C Compared to Figure 3A It describes similar features to Material 10, the difference being... Figure 3B , Figure 3C Materials 10 with different adhesive portion shapes are depicted, as shown in adhesive portions 20' and 20" respectively. Therefore, in Figure 3B , Figure 3C The features of the adhesive portions 20', 20" and material 10 depicted are similar to those shown by similar reference numerals. Figure 3A Features. For example, Figure 3A Features labeled with reference numerals 16, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 40 are shown, while Figure 3B , Figure 3CThe same features are shown by reference numerals 16', 20', 20a', 20a”, 20b', 20b”, 20c', 20c”, 20d', 20d”, 21', 21”, 22', 22”, 23', 23”, 25', 25”, 26', 26”, 27', 28', 28”, 34', 34”, 35', 35”, 36', 36”, 37', 37”, 38', 38”, 39', 39” and 40', 40”, all of which correspond to numbers with apostrophes and numbers with double apostrophes, respectively.

[0095] It should also be understood that not every single bond 20 within a series of longitudinally adjacent bonds needs to be perfectly aligned with the bond line 27 to give the material 10 the beneficial tensile properties described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the bonds 20 may be aligned generally along the bond line 27, wherein at least some of the first side portions 35 of the bonds 20 do not fall exactly on the bond line 27. In some of these examples, the first side portions 35 of the aligned bonds along the bond line 27 may fall on the bond line 27, while the first side portions 35 of the misaligned bonds along the bond line 27 are spaced apart from the bond line 27. For example, some misaligned bonds may be located near the bond line 27, wherein the first side portions 35 are spaced apart from the bond line 27 and the misaligned bonds do not overlap with the bond line 27. In other examples, the misaligned bonds may be located near the bond line 27, wherein the first side portions 35 are spaced apart from the bond line 27 and the misaligned bonds overlap with the bond line 27. Therefore, it should be understood that it is not necessary to fully align all the adhesive portions 20 along the adhesive line 27 to remain within the scope of this disclosure.

[0096] As described above, in at least some implementations, such as Figure 1-3A In one embodiment of -C, the first side portion 35 of the adhesive portion 20 (and / or the adhesive line 27) may form an angle 40 relative to the elastomeric strand 16 (and more specifically, the transverse axis 28 of the elastomeric strand 16). In such an embodiment, the angle 40 may be in any range between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees. In some more specific embodiments, the angle 40 may be between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees, or between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees, or between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle 40 may be between about 105 degrees and about 180 degrees, or between about 120 degrees and about 179 degrees, or between about 140 degrees and about 178 degrees.

[0097] It should be understood that the chosen specific angle 40 will affect the specific tensile properties of the elastomeric material 10. A specific tensile property is the amount of elongation of the elastomeric material 10 in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force applied in the longitudinal direction 31. In this example, when the angle 40 is close to 90 degrees, such as between about 80 degrees and about 100 degrees, the elastomeric material 10 will elongate by a relatively small amount in the longitudinal direction 31. This is because in such an embodiment, the adhesive portion 20 will extend along a line oriented relatively longitudinally, thereby resisting the longitudinally applied force and preventing the material from elongating in the longitudinal direction 31. However, when the angle 40 is not close to 90 degrees, for example less than about 80 degrees or greater than about 100 degrees, the elastomeric material 10 will elongate by a relatively large amount in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given longitudinally applied force. This is because when the angle 40 deviates from 90 degrees, the adhesive portion 20 will extend along a line that extends less in the longitudinal direction 31. In such an implementation, the adhesive portion 20 is less aligned to resist a given force applied in the longitudinal direction 31, resulting in greater longitudinal elongation of the elastic material 10 in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0098] exist Figure 1-3A In the example of -C, this particular tensile property can be the same along the length of the elastic material 10 because the specific construction (including angle 40) of the strands 16, the first layer 12 and the second layer 14, and the adhesive portion 20 is not different in different regions of the material 10. In contrast, Figures 4 to 6 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 and Figures 13 to 15 Further embodiments of the elasticized material according to this disclosure are described, including elasticized materials having different tensile properties along their length. Specifically, Figure 4 This is a plan view of an exemplary elastic material 110 in a stretched state, wherein the elastic material 110 has been stretched in the transverse direction 32, such that... Figure 4 The depiction of the medium elastic material 110 does not include peaks or valleys.

[0099] Generally speaking, Figure 4 The elastic material 110 can be similar to that about Figure 1-3A -C describes the elastic material 10. However, unlike the elastic material 10, the elastic material 110 may have a first region 102 including an adhesive portion 101, the adhesive portion having a first side portion 111 forming an angle 106 relative to the laterally extending elastomeric strands 116. The elastic material 110 may additionally have a second region 104 including an adhesive portion 103, the adhesive portion having a first side portion 113 forming an angle 108 relative to the laterally extending elastomeric strands 116.

[0100] In some embodiments, apart from the first side portions 111, 113 and / or adhesive portions 101, 103 at different angles being aligned along adhesive lines 127a, 127b at different angles, adhesive portions 101 and 103 can be similar, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first side portion 111 (and / or adhesive line 127a) of the adhesive portion 101 can form a first angle 106 relative to the laterally extending elastomer strand 116, while the first side portion 113 (and / or adhesive line 127b) of the adhesive portion 103 can form a second angle 108 relative to the laterally extending elastomer strand 116.

[0101] In addition to or as an alternative, in some embodiments, the adhesive portions 101, 103 can be aligned longitudinally and laterally, such as Figure 4 As shown. That is, within each group of adhesive portions 101, 103 and between each group of adhesive portions 101, 103, the adhesive portions 101, 103 may have the same longitudinal spacing and the same transverse spacing. However, in other embodiments, the longitudinal and / or transverse spacing of the adhesive portions 101, 103 may vary between and / or within each group of adhesive portions 101, 103. For example, at least some longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions within each group of adhesive portions 101 and / or 103 (where the elastomer strands do not pass between longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions) may have a larger longitudinal spacing than the longitudinal spacing of longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions where the elastomer strands pass between longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions.

[0102] In various embodiments, angles 106 and 108 can be in any range between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees. In some more specific embodiments, angles 106 and 108 can be between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees, or between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees, or between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees. In other embodiments, angles 106 and 108 can be between about 105 degrees and about 180 degrees, or between about 120 degrees and about 179 degrees, or between about 140 degrees and about 178 degrees. Furthermore, angles 106 and 108 are different, and in at least some embodiments, one of angles 106 and 108 is less than 90 degrees, while the other of angles 106 and 108 is greater than 90 degrees.

[0103] It should be understood that this difference between angles 106 and 108 results in the elastic material 110 having different tensile properties along its transverse length. For example, in Figure 4In the example, the first region 102 can elongate a first amount in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force applied in the longitudinal direction 31, which is represented by arrow F. The relative elongation of the first region 102 under the applied force is represented by the dashed outline 124 of the elastic material 110 in the first region 102. However, in the second region 104, since the angles of the first side portions 113 of the adhesive portion 103 at different angles (and / or the adhesive lines 127b at different angles) are closer to 90 degrees than the angles of the first side portions 111 of the adhesive portion 101 (and / or the adhesive lines 127a at different angles), the elastic material 110 may elongate less in the longitudinal direction 31 under the same applied force. The relative elongation of the second region 104 is represented by the dashed outline 126 of the elastic material 110 in the second region 104. It can be seen that the relative elongation of the first region 102 is greater than the relative elongation of the second region 104.

[0104] Figure 5 An exemplary elastic material 210 in a stretched state is depicted in a plan view, wherein the elastic material 210 has been stretched in the transverse direction 32, thus eliminating peaks or valleys. Generally speaking, Figure 5 The elastic material 210 can be similar to that about Figure 1-3A -C describes the elasticized material 10, and regarding Figure 4 The elastic material 110 is described. However, unlike the elastic material 110, the elastic material 210 may include not only the first region 202 and the second region 204, but also a third region 206.

[0105] Similar to the elastic material 110, the first region 202 of the elastic material 210 includes an adhesive portion 201 having a first side portion 211 forming an angle 207 relative to the elastomer strand 216; and the second region 204 of the elastic material 210 includes an adhesive portion 203 having a first side portion 213 forming an angle 208 relative to the elastomer strand 216. Additionally, the third region 206 of the elastic material 210 includes an adhesive portion 205 having a first side portion 215 forming an angle 210 relative to the elastomer strand 216.

[0106] Similarly, in another way of describing the elastic material 210, the longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions of adhesive portions 201, 203 and / or 205 may extend downward along the longitudinal direction of the elastic material 210 in adhesive lines (such as adhesive lines 221, 222 and 223). Figure 5In the embodiment, not only do the first side portions 211, 213, and 215 of the adhesive portions 201, 203, and 205 form angles 207, 208, and 210 relative to the elastomer strand 216, respectively, but each of the adhesive lines 221, 222, and 223 also forms angles 207, 208, and 210 relative to the elastomer strand 216, respectively.

[0107] In various embodiments, angles 207, 208, and 210 can be in any range between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees. In some more specific embodiments, angles 207, 208, and 210 can be between about 15 degrees and about 90 degrees, or between about 30 degrees and about 89 degrees, or between about 50 degrees and about 88 degrees. In other embodiments, angles 207, 208, and 210 can be between about 105 degrees and about 180 degrees, or between about 120 degrees and about 179 degrees, or between about 140 degrees and about 178 degrees. Furthermore, each of angles 207, 208, and 210 is shown as distinct, and in at least some embodiments, one of angles 207, 208, and 210 is less than 90 degrees, while another of angles 207, 208, and 210 is greater than 90 degrees. In other embodiments, two of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be less than 90 degrees, while the third of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be greater than 90 degrees. Alternatively, at least one of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be greater than 90 degrees, while at least another of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be less than 90 degrees. In a further embodiment, two of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be greater than 90 degrees, while the third of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be less than 90 degrees. In yet another embodiment, at least one of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be equal to 90 degrees, while the other two of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be less than 90 degrees, greater than 90 degrees, or the first of the other two of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be less than 90 degrees, while the second of the other two of angles 207, 208, and 210 may be greater than 90 degrees.

[0108] It should be understood that this difference in angles 207, 208, and 210 results in the elastic material 210 having different tensile properties along its transverse length. For example, in Figure 5In the example, the first region 202 can elongate a first amount in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force applied in the longitudinal direction 31, which is represented by arrow F. The relative elongation of the first region 202 under the given applied force is represented by the dashed outline 224 of the elastic material 210 in the first region 202. However, in the second region 204, due to the first side portion 213 (or the adhesive line 222) of the adhesive portion 203 at a different angle, which is closer to 90 degrees than the angle formed by the first side portion 211 (or the adhesive line 221) of the adhesive portion 201, the elastic material 210 may not elongate as much in the longitudinal direction 31 under the given applied force F. The relative elongation of the second region 204 is represented by the dashed outline 226 of the elastic material 210 in the second region 204. It can be seen that the relative elongation of the first region 202 is greater than the relative elongation of the second region 204.

[0109] Furthermore, the third region 206 can elongate in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given applied force F, but by a relatively larger amount than either the first region 202 or the second region 204, as shown by the dashed outline 228. For example, the first side portion 215 of the adhesive portion 205 in the third region 206 is angled away from the elastomer strand 216 by 90 degrees, a greater degree of distance than the first side portions 211, 213 (or adhesive lines 221, 222) of the adhesive portions 201, 203 in regions 202 and 204 are angled away from each other by 90 degrees. Therefore, the longitudinal alignment of the adhesive portion 205 in the third region 206 is relatively less than the longitudinal alignment of the adhesive portions 201, 203 in the first region 202 and the second region 204, and thus resists the given longitudinally applied force F less than that of the adhesive portions 201, 203 in the first region 202 and the second region 204.

[0110] It should be understood that Figure 5 The proposed implementation is merely one contemplated embodiment, wherein the elastomeric material, such as elastomeric material 210, has at least three distinct regions, each of which exhibits three different tensile properties along its length. In other contemplated embodiments, the specific order of the first side portions 211, 213, and 215 or the bonding lines 221, 222, and 223 relative to the different angles of the elastomeric strands 16 may differ. Figure 5 As shown. Additionally, other anticipated implementations could allow all different angles to be less than 90 degrees or greater than 90 degrees.

[0111] Figure 6 An exemplary elastic material 310 in a stretched state is depicted in a plan view, wherein the elastic material 310 has been stretched in the transverse direction 32, so that there are no peaks or valleys in the elastic material 310. Generally speaking, Figure 6The elastic material 310 can be similar to the reference. Figure 5 The described elastic material 210. However, Figure 6 The elastic material has at least two regions, the at least two regions including a first side portion or adhesive line having a different angle relative to the elastomer strand, and a region in which no elastomer strand includes a capture portion, rather than having three different regions, the three different regions including a first side portion or adhesive line having a different angle relative to the elastomer strand.

[0112] exist Figure 6 In one embodiment, the elastomeric material 310 includes a region 302 that includes an adhesive portion 301 having a first side portion 311 or adhesive line 321 forming an angle 307 relative to the elastomer strand 316. Additionally, the elastomeric material 310 includes a region 306 that includes an adhesive portion 305 having a first side portion 315 or adhesive line 322 forming an angle 309 relative to the elastomer strand 316. In at least some embodiments, angle 316 differs from angle 311. The elastomeric material 310 also includes a region 304 having an adhesive portion 303. (As in...) Figure 6 As can be seen, the adhesive portions 303 in region 304 may have a different longitudinal spacing than adhesive portions 301 and / or adhesive portions 305. For example, at least a pair of longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions 303 disposed on opposite sides of one of the elastomer strands 316 within region 304 may be longitudinally spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strand 316. In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, all pairs of longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions 303 disposed on opposite sides of the elastomer strands 316 within region 304 can be longitudinally spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 316. It may be advantageous to provide regions such as region 304 where the elastomer strands 16 are not captured in areas of the material to be deelasticized. In such a material, the elastomer strands 16 can be cut at only one point within the region where they are not captured, such as region 304, to deelasticize the entire region 304. Of course, the elastomer strands 16 can be cut at multiple points within region 304, which may better deelasticize region 304. As an example, it is sometimes advantageous to deelasticize the elastomerized material region spanning the absorbent core of an absorbent article.

[0113] Therefore, due to the varying longitudinal spacing of the adhesive portions 303 within region 304, at least one elastomeric strand 316 within region 304 may not include any capturing portion. In some embodiments, all elastomeric strands within region 304 may not include any capturing portion, while in other embodiments, at least some elastomeric strands 16 within region 304 may still include capturing portions, as in regions 301 and 305.

[0114] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first transverse portion 313 or adhesive line 323 of the adhesive portion 303 in region 304 may form an angle 308 relative to the elastomer strand 316, and this angle may be the same as either angle 307 or 309. However, in other embodiments, angle 308 may be different from both angles 307 and 309. When angle 308 is the same as either angle 307 or 309, region 304 may elongate in the longitudinal direction 31 by the same amount as region 302 or region 306 under a given force (indicated by arrow F) applied in the longitudinal direction 31. Figure 6 The relative elongation of the different regions 302, 304, and 306 is represented by dashed outlines 324 and 326. However, in other embodiments, for example, where angle 308 differs from both angles 307 and 309, region 304 may elongate in the longitudinal direction 31 by an amount different from either region 302 or region 306 under a given force applied in the longitudinal direction 31.

[0115] Of course, any of the aforementioned elastic materials can be used in a variety of different garments and absorbent articles. For example, the disclosed elastic materials can form at least a portion of the waistband of a garment or absorbent article, or at least a portion of the elastic leg cuffs of a garment or absorbent article, or can be used in other parts of the absorbent article, such as in the absorbent core of the absorbent article, as part of the leak-proof flaps of the absorbent article, or as part of the surge layer and / or distribution layer of the absorbent article. Figure 7 An exemplary absorbent article 400 is depicted, which includes an elastic material as part of its waistband and leg cuffs.

[0116] Figure 7 The embodiment illustrates absorbent article 400, which includes absorbent articles manufactured using a process commonly referred to as transverse (CD) process. However, it should be understood that other absorbent articles manufactured using a longitudinal (MD) process may contain the elastic material according to this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0117] The absorbent article 400 may include a three-piece construction, wherein the absorbent article 400 has a base sheet 406 comprising a front waist piece 402 having a front waist edge 401, a rear waist piece 404 having a rear waist edge 403, and an absorbent sheet 409 extending between the front waist piece 402 and the rear waist piece 404. The absorbent sheet 409 typically includes an absorbent body 408. In some embodiments, the absorbent sheet 409 may have a first lateral side edge 405 and a second lateral side edge 407, and may overlap with the front waist piece 402 and the rear waist piece 404. The absorbent sheet 409 may be bonded to the front waist piece 402 and the rear waist piece 404 to define the three-piece construction. However, it is conceivable that the absorbent garment can be manufactured in the CD process, rather than as a three-piece garment, which is sometimes referred to as a one-piece garment (not shown), because the front waist piece 402 and the back waist piece 404 are integrated with each other by common connecting components forming the waist pieces (such as body side linings and / or outer coverings that may enclose the absorbent piece 409 or simply cover the garment side of the absorbent piece 409).

[0118] The front waistband 402 and rear waistband 404 typically include elastomeric strands 416 disposed between at least two layers of material. For example, the front waistband 402 and rear waistband 404 may include an elastic material as described herein. In at least some embodiments, the front waistband 402 and / or rear waistband 404 may have a central region 421 and side edge regions 422, 423. The central region 421 may be formed to have a first elongation in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given longitudinal applied force, while the side edge regions 422, 423 may be formed to have a second elongation in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given longitudinal applied force. The side edge regions 422, 423 may even be formed to have different elongations from each other. Other anticipated embodiments include additional side edge regions, for example, four, six, or eight side edge regions with different elongations. This feature of the front waistband 402 and / or rear waistband 404 can allow for a better fit between the absorbent article 400 and the wearer. For example, in some embodiments, the side edge regions 422, 423 have a greater elongation in the longitudinal direction 31 than the central region 421 under longitudinally applied force, or in other embodiments, they have a smaller elongation in the longitudinal direction 31 than the central region 421 under longitudinally applied force. These different embodiments can impart different beneficial fit properties to the absorbent article 400.

[0119] Figure 8 Depicting Figure 7A close-up of frame 431 more specifically depicts the different structures of the front waist piece 402 in regions 421 and 423. It can be seen that the front waist piece 402 includes adhesive portions 420 and 430 oriented with adhesive lines 425 and 427, respectively. It can be seen that the first side portion 426 of the adhesive portion 420 or the adhesive line 425 can form different angles with respect to the elastomer strand 416 and the first side portion 428 of the adhesive portion 430 or the adhesive line 427. For example, the first side portion 426 of the adhesive portion 420 in region 421 can form a first angle 424 relative to the elastomer strand 416, while the first side portion 428 of the adhesive portion 430 in region 423 can form a second angle 429 relative to the elastomer strand 416. The first angle and the second angle are different. Therefore, in different regions 421 and 423, the front waist piece 402 can exhibit different longitudinal elongations under a given longitudinal applied force.

[0120] In some additional or alternative embodiments, the front lumbar support 402 and / or the rear lumbar support 404 may have overlapping areas, wherein the absorbent sheet 409 overlaps with the front lumbar support 402 and / or the rear lumbar support 404, such as Figure 9 The overlapping region 434 is shown. In at least some of these embodiments, the portion of the elastomeric strand 416 passing through these overlapping regions may not have a capture portion.

[0121] Figure 9 A close-up of frame 432 is depicted, detailing the specific structure of the front waist piece 402, including an overlapping region 434, in which the absorber piece 409 overlaps with the front waist piece 402. It can be seen that the adhesive portions 420 of the front waist piece 402 within the overlapping region 434 are spaced differently in the longitudinal direction 31 from the adhesive portions 420 outside the overlapping region 434. For example, the adhesive portions 420 outside the overlapping region 434, or at least the longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions 420 outside the overlapping region 434 with the elastomer strands 416 located therebetween, can be longitudinally spaced by a distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 416. Therefore, outside the overlapping region 434, the elastomer strands 416 may have a trapping area in which the elastomer strands 416 pass between the adhesive portions 420. The adhesive portions 420 within the overlapping region 434, or at least the longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions 420 within the overlapping region 434 (with the elastomer strands 416 located therebetween), may be longitudinally spaced by a distance greater than or equal to the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 416. Therefore, the elastomer strands 416 within the overlapping region 434 may have portions that pass between the adhesive portions 420 and are not captured by the adhesive portions 420.

[0122] Of course, it should be understood that the overlapping area 434 describing the position where the absorbent sheet 409 overlaps with the front waist piece 402 is merely an exemplary boundary where the adhesive portion 420 may have different longitudinal spacing. For example, in some embodiments, where the adhesive portion 420 overlaps with the absorbent body 408 rather than the entire absorbent sheet 409, the adhesive portion 420 may have a longitudinal spacing greater than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 16.

[0123] In some additional or alternative embodiments, the absorbent article 400 may include resilient leg cuffs 410, 411 with different elongation characteristics along its length. For example, it may be beneficial for the resilient leg cuffs 410, 411 to have greater elongation in the lateral direction 32 in the region near the front waistband 402 and / or the rear waistband 404 to improve the fit of the absorbent article 400.

[0124] Figure 10 Depicting Figure 7 A close-up of frame 433 more specifically depicts the different structures of the elastic leg clamps 410 and 411. (As shown in...) Figure 10 As can be seen, the elastomer strand 416 is shown as passing through regions 451 and 452 in the longitudinal direction 31, wherein the elastomer strand represents the leg elastomer strand in the portion of the article 400 highlighted by frame 433.

[0125] Regions 451 and 452 include adhesive portions 450 and 460 respectively arranged in adhesive lines 455 and 457, each having first side portions 444 and 446. The first side portion 444 of adhesive portion 450 and adhesive line 455 can form a first angle relative to elastomer strand 416, while the first side portion 446 of adhesive portion 460 and adhesive line 457 can form different second angles relative to elastomer strand 416. Therefore, in different regions 451, 452, the elastic leg brace 411 can exhibit different lateral elongations under a given lateral applied force. This can facilitate allowing the leg braces 410, 411 to fit more contours around the upper thigh and hip area of ​​the wearer.

[0126] Other exemplary absorbent articles of this disclosure may include waistbands and leg cuffs with different tensile properties. For example, instead of varying tensile properties within the waistband or leg cuff, the tensile properties between the waistband and leg cuff may differ.

[0127] Figure 11 Depicting Figure 7 Mid-frame 431 (in) Figure 11 A close-up of the image marked 431' in the middle, depicting in detail... Figure 7 402 fore-flank (in) Figure 11The structure is marked as 402'. It can be seen that the front waist piece 402' includes an adhesive portion 420' oriented with an adhesive line 425'. The first side portion 426' of the adhesive portion 420' or the adhesive line 425' may be angled relative to the elastomer strand 416 at a first angle 424'. Figure 12 Depicting Figure 7 Mid-frame 433 (in) Figure 12 A close-up of the image marked 433' shows a detailed depiction of the elastic leg brace 410 (in...). Figure 12 The structure is marked as 410'. It can be seen that the leg clamp 410' includes an adhesive portion 450' oriented with an adhesive line 455'. The first side portion 444' of the adhesive portion 450', or the adhesive line 455', may be angled relative to the elastomer strand 416 at a second angle 462'. The first angle 424' and the second angle 462' are different in these embodiments to provide different desired tensile properties at different locations of the absorbent article, thereby resulting in better fit of the article.

[0128] Other anticipated implementations include materials and absorbent articles and clothing that have symmetrical and / or continuous tensile properties. For example, it may be advantageous to provide or use materials that stretch by the same amount under a given force applied in different directions and / or in all directions within absorbent articles or clothing. In some implementations, this can be achieved by changing the angle at which the bonded portion of the material between the different elastic strands is oriented relative to the elastic strands.

[0129] Figure 13 An exemplary material 510 is depicted that can be used in absorbent articles or clothing having symmetrical stretch properties. Figure 13 In one example, material 510 has a top edge 502 and two sets of adhesive portions 512, 514, each set having side portions 504, 506, which form different angles relative to the elastomeric strand 516. Of course, as described in other materials of this disclosure, the adhesive portions 512, 514 of material 510 may be oriented with adhesive lines 505, 507, respectively, forming different angles relative to the elastomeric strand 516. For example, the side portion 504 of adhesive portion 512 or the adhesive line 505 may form a first angle 511 relative to the elastomeric strand 516, as shown in region 508 of material 510. The side portion of adhesive portion 514 or the adhesive line 507 may form a second angle 513 relative to the elastomeric strand 516, different from the first angle 511, as shown in region 509 of material 510.

[0130] Generally, the bonding portions 512, 514 of material 510 may have transverse and longitudinal spacing, similar to the transverse and longitudinal spacing described for bonding portions of other elastomeric materials of this disclosure. For example, bonding portions 512, 514 where the elastomer strands 516 extend therebetween may have longitudinal spacing smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 516. Longitudinal adjacent bonding portions 512, 514 where the elastomer strands 516 do not extend therebetween may have any of a variety of different longitudinal spacings, including spacing larger than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strands 516, as described for other elastomeric materials of this disclosure. Additionally, the transverse spacing between transversely adjacent bonding portions 512, 514 may be any option described for other elastomeric materials of this disclosure.

[0131] See more details Figure 13 Region 508 includes an adhesive portion 512 having a first side portion 504 forming an angle 511 relative to the elastomeric strand 516. In at least some portions of region 508, longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions extending therebetween the elastomeric strand 516 can capture the elastomeric strand 516. Such longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions, such as adhesive portions 512a, 512b, can be spaced in the longitudinal direction 31 less than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand 516 to capture the elastomeric strand 516. Region 509 includes an adhesive portion 514 having a first side portion 506 forming an angle 513 relative to the elastomeric strand 516. Additionally, in at least some portions of region 509, longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions extending therebetween the elastomeric strand 516 can capture the elastomeric strand 516. Such longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions, such as adhesive portions 514a and 514b, can be spaced in the longitudinal direction 31 less than the untensioned diameter of the elastomer strand 516 to capture the elastomer strand 516. It can be seen that, with... Figure 4 The elastic material 110 is different, and the elastomer strands 516 extending between the adhesive portions 512a and 512b are different from the elastomer strands 516 extending between the adhesive portions 514a and 514b. Therefore, in Figure 13 In one embodiment, the adhesive portions of the elastic material 510 forming different angles (such as different angles 511, 513) relative to the elastomer strands are provided around the different elastomer strands 516 of the material 510.

[0132] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the elastomeric strand 516 may extend between two regions 508, 509. In such embodiments, the elastomeric strand 516 may separate one of the adhesive portions 512 (e.g., 512c, which is part of region 508) from one of the adhesive portions 514 (e.g., 514c, which is part of region 509). The adhesive portions 512c, 514c may be longitudinally spaced less than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand 516 to capture the elastomeric strand 516. Additionally, the adhesive portion 512c may form an angle 511 relative to the elastomeric strand 516 (or a line parallel to the elastomeric strand 516), while the adhesive portion 514c may form an angle 513 relative to the elastomeric strand 516 (or a line parallel to the elastomeric strand 516). However, in other embodiments, no elastomeric strand 516 may extend directly between regions 508, 509.

[0133] Generally, angles 511 and 513 can have any suitable value, such as between approximately 15 degrees and approximately 90 degrees, or between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 89 degrees, or between approximately 50 degrees and approximately 88 degrees, or between approximately 105 degrees and approximately 180 degrees, or between approximately 120 degrees and approximately 179 degrees, or between approximately 140 degrees and approximately 178 degrees. In at least some embodiments, angles 511 and 513 can differ from 90 degrees by the same amount, except that one of angles 511 and 513 can be less than 90 degrees, while the other of angles 511 and 513 can be greater than 90 degrees. For example, if angle 511 is 15 degrees, 45 degrees, or 75 degrees, then angle 513 can be 105 degrees, 135 degrees, or 165 degrees, respectively. In other words, the degree value of angle 513 can be 180 minus the value of angle 511.

[0134] Because different regions 508 and 509 have adhesive portions with side portions or form adhesive lines, and these side portions or adhesive lines form different angles relative to the elastomeric strands 516 of material 510, material 510 can have symmetrical tensile properties. This symmetrical tensile property can be generated by a specific configuration of the formed angles, the longitudinal range of each of regions 508 and 509, or both. For example, in some embodiments, the longitudinal range of each of regions 508 and 509 can be the same. In such embodiments, angles 511 and 513 can also be symmetrical about 90 degrees, meaning that angles 511 and 513 can differ from 90 degrees by the same amount, except that one of angles 511 and 513 is less than 90 degrees, while the other is greater than 90 degrees. Similarly, in other words, the degree value of angle 513 can be 180 minus the value of angle 511. In embodiments where the longitudinal ranges of regions 508 and 509 differ, the amount by which angles 511 and 513 change from 90 degrees can also differ to produce a material that still has symmetrical tensile properties.

[0135] The symmetrical tensile properties discussed pertain to materials such as material 510, which, when oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction 31, exhibit a symmetrical amount of elongation in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given applied force. For example, material 510 can be elongated by a first amount in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force applied (as indicated by arrow F1) while material 510 is oriented perpendicular to force F1. Furthermore, under the same given force applied after material 510 has been rotated an amount relative to the longitudinal direction 31, material 510 can be elongated by a second amount in the longitudinal direction 31. For example, material 510 can be elongated by a second amount under a given force as indicated by arrow F2, while arrow F2 is oriented along the longitudinal direction 31. In this example, material 510 has been rotated 45 degrees to the right relative to the longitudinal direction 31. Additionally, material 510 can be elongated by the same second amount in the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force as indicated by arrow F3, while arrow F3 is oriented along the longitudinal direction 31. In this example, material 510 has been rotated 45 degrees to the left relative to the longitudinal direction 31. Therefore, material 510 can be considered to have symmetrical tensile properties because it stretches by the same amount when the same force is applied to material 510 at a mirror angle relative to the longitudinal direction 31, or when the same force is applied after material 510 has been rotated by an equal amount in either direction relative to the longitudinal direction 31. This is consistent with... Figures 1 to 6 The elastic material shown and described in contrast. In those embodiments, the material exhibits different amounts of stretching under a given force applied at a mirror angle relative to the longitudinal direction 31, or under a given force applied when the material has already been rotated an equal amount relative to the longitudinal direction 31 in either direction.

[0136] Materials such as material 510 may also have continuous tensile properties. That is, even if the material layer of material 510 does not have any inherent elastic properties, material 510 can still elongate along the longitudinal direction 31 under a given force applied along the longitudinal direction 31 at each angle of rotation of material 510 relative to the longitudinal direction 31. For example, as previously described, the materials of this disclosure will resist elongation in the direction along which the adhesive portion of the material is aligned. For example, in the case where the material layer of material 10 does not have any inherent elastic properties, when material 10 is rotated to the left by the same angle 40 relative to the longitudinal direction 31, under a given force applied along the longitudinal direction 31, Figure 1 Material 10 may not elongate at all, or only elongate by a small amount, such as less than about 1%. This is because in this configuration, the adhesive portions are aligned in the longitudinal direction 31, which is the same direction as the given force, and prevents any elongation of material 10 along the longitudinal direction 31 at that rotation angle. On the other hand, material 510 does not have a rotation angle in which the adhesive portions are directly aligned in the longitudinal direction 31. It can be seen that at each rotation angle of material 510 relative to the longitudinal direction 31, some adhesive portions 514 and / or 516 will not be aligned in the longitudinal direction 31. Therefore, at each rotation angle of material 510 relative to the longitudinal direction 31, material 510 will exhibit a certain amount of elongation in the longitudinal direction 31, such as an elongation greater than about 1%, even though the material layers of material 510 do not have inherent elastic properties.

[0137] Of course, in other embodiments, the elastomeric material according to this disclosure may have the characteristics of both exemplary materials 110 and 510. For example, the exemplary elastomeric material may have an adhesive portion having side portions forming different angles along a single elastomeric strand and between different elastomeric strands.

[0138] Figure 14An exemplary elastomeric material 550 is depicted, which incorporates at least some features of exemplary materials 110 and 510. It can be seen that material 550 includes a first region comprising an adhesive portion 562 having a first side portion 561. The first region is shown as being bonded by a first transverse portion 581 and a first longitudinal portion 583 of material 550. The adhesive portion 562 may be arranged in an adhesive line 585, and the first side portion 561 and / or the adhesive line 585 may form an angle 571 relative to the elastomeric strand 596 of material 550. At least some adhesive portions 562, such as 562a, 562b, may be disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strand 596 and separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand 596. In other words, the adhesive portions 562a, 562b may capture a portion of the elastomeric strand 596. Material 550 may also include a second region comprising the adhesive portion 562 having the first side portion 563. The second region is shown as being bonded by a second transverse portion 582 and a first longitudinal portion 583 of material 550. Adhesive portions 564 may be arranged in adhesive lines 587, and the first side portion 563 and / or adhesive lines 587 may form an angle 573 relative to the elastomeric strands 596 of material 550. At least some adhesive portions 564, such as 564a, 564b, may be provided on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands 596 and separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands 596. In other words, adhesive portions 564a, 564b may capture a portion of the elastomeric strands 596. Figure 14 As can be seen, angle 571 is different from angle 573. The angle is formed by an adhesive portion provided across the same elastic strand 596 that passes through both the first region and the second region, or more specifically, by a side portion of the adhesive portion or by an adhesive line formed by the adhesive portion.

[0139] The exemplary material 550 also includes a third region and a fourth region, which are respectively bonded by a first transverse portion 581 and a second longitudinal portion 584, and a second transverse portion 582 and a second longitudinal portion 584. The third region includes an adhesive portion 566 having a first side portion 565. The adhesive portion 566 may be arranged in an adhesive line 589, and the first side portion 565 and / or the adhesive line 589 may form an angle 575 relative to the elastomeric strand 596 of the material 550. At least some adhesive portions 566, such as 566a, 566b, may be disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric strand 596 and separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand 596. In other words, the adhesive portions 566a, 566b may capture a portion of the elastomeric strand 596. The fourth region includes an adhesive portion 568 having a first side portion 567. Adhesive portions 568 may be arranged within adhesive lines 591, and the first side portion 567 and / or adhesive lines 591 may form an angle 577 relative to the elastomeric strands 596 of the material 550. At least some adhesive portions 568, such as 568a and 568b, may be provided on opposite sides of the elastomeric strands 596 and separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strands 596. In other words, adhesive portions 568a and 568b may capture a portion of the elastomeric strands 596. Figure 14 As can be seen, angle 575 is different from angle 577. The angle is formed by an adhesive portion provided across the same elastic strand 596 that passes through both the third and fourth regions, or more specifically, by the side portion of the adhesive portion or by the adhesive line formed by the adhesive portion.

[0140] from Figure 14As can be further seen, angle 571 differs from angle 575, and angle 573 differs from angle 577. Therefore, material 550 also has regions where the angles formed by the adhesive portions, or more specifically, the angles formed by the side portions of the adhesive portions or the adhesive lines formed by the adhesive portions relative to the elastomeric strands 596, vary along different elastomeric strands 596. In some embodiments, angles 571 and 577, as well as angles 573 and 575, may also differ from each other. In these embodiments, all angles in different regions of material 550 may differ from each other. Additionally, in some embodiments, angles 571 and 575, as well as angles 573 and 575, may be mirror images about the longitudinal direction 31. That is, angles 571 and 575, as well as angles 573 and 575, may each differ from 90 degrees by the same amount, but one angle in a pair is less than 90 degrees, and the other angle in a pair is greater than 90 degrees. Generally, angles 571, 573, 575, and 575 can have any suitable values, such as those disclosed with respect to angles in other exemplary elastomeric materials of this disclosure. These different implementations allow for the use of elastic materials with a variety of different tensile properties, which can provide better fit, functionality and aesthetics for absorbent articles or clothing using such elastic materials.

[0141] In another embodiment according to this disclosure, the elastomeric material may have longitudinally adjacent adhesive portions that can continuously change at the angle in which they are formed, or more specifically, at the angle of the side portions of the adhesive portions relative to the elastomeric strands of the elastomeric material or to a line provided parallel to the elastomeric strands. In other embodiments, the angle formed by the adhesive portions may be repeated in a pattern of three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten or any other suitable number of adhesive portions, rather than changing the angle truly continuously. Figure 15 An exemplary elastomeric material 610 is depicted, including a top edge 602 and adhesive portions 602a to 602f. It can be seen that the adhesive portions 602a to 602f form angles 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, and 621 relative to or parallel to the elastomeric strands 616 of the material 610. Angles 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, and 621 form first units of a pattern that can be longitudinally continuous downwards along the elastomeric material 610, and the units formed by the adhesive portions 602a to 602f can be laterally repeated across the material 610.

[0142] exist Figure 15In some embodiments, angles 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, and 621 may be different from each other, while in other embodiments, angles 611 and 617 may be the same. Additionally, in some embodiments, angles 613 and 615 may be mirror images of angles 619 and 621, respectively, about the longitudinal direction. That is, angles 613 and 619 may differ from 90 degrees by the same amount, but one angle is less than 90 degrees and the other is greater than 90 degrees. Similarly, angles 615 and 621 may differ from 90 degrees by the same amount, but one angle is less than 90 degrees and the other is greater than 90 degrees. Generally, angles 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, and 621 may have any suitable values, such as those disclosed with respect to angles in other exemplary elastomeric materials of this disclosure. Furthermore, it should be understood that the elastomeric strands 616 may be located between any of the adhesive portions 602a to 602f, and not only within... Figure 15 The position shown. For example, the elastomer strand 616 may be located between each repeating unit of the adhesive portion rather than within one of the repeating units.

[0143] In another embodiment, the elastic material of this disclosure can be used as a side sheet material within an absorbent article. For example, Figure 16 An exemplary absorbent article 700 is depicted, comprising a substrate 702 and a body-facing surface 703. Article 700 may also include a front side panel 709 and a rear side panel 708. The front side panel 709 may include an attachment region 707, and the rear side panel 708 may include an attachment region 709. The attachment regions 707 and 709 may cooperate with each other to form a secure connection between the front side panel 709 and the rear side panel 709. In such a configuration, article 700 can be considered a wearable configuration.

[0144] In some embodiments, at least one of the front side panel 709 and / or the rear side panel 708 may have elastic properties, and more specifically, having elastic properties in the longitudinal direction may be advantageous. For example, the front side panel 709 and the rear side panel 708 may be positioned on the hips of the wearer of the article 700, and having stretchability in the longitudinal direction may provide an enhanced fit of the article 700 on the wearer.

[0145] Figure 17 One of the rear side panels 708 is described in further detail, which includes an elastic material according to this disclosure. For example, Figure 17The rear side sheet 708 may include an adhesive portion 722 having a side portion 726. The adhesive portion 720 may be aligned along an adhesive line 727. Additionally, the side portion and / or adhesive line may form an angle 722 relative to the elastomeric strand 716 of the rear side sheet 708. The angle 722 may have any suitable value, such as those disclosed with respect to angles in other exemplary elastomeric materials of this disclosure. Thus, it can be seen that due to the elastomeric strand 716, Figure 17 The rear side panel 708 will extend in the transverse direction 32 and, due to the specific construction of the elastomer strands 716 and the adhesive portion 720 (e.g., where the side portion 726 of the adhesive portion 720 or the adhesive line 727 forms an angle other than 90 degrees relative to the elastomer strands 716), will extend in the longitudinal direction 31. In at least some embodiments, the rear side panels 708 located on opposite sides of the film 702 may be mirror images of each other. That is, the angle 720 of the rear side panel 708 on the first side of the film 702 may differ from 90 degrees by the same amount as the angle 720 of the rear side panel 708 on the second side of the film 702, but one angle 720 is less than 90 degrees while the other angle 720 is greater than 90 degrees.

[0146] It should be further understood that the anticipated elasticized sideplate material is not limited to... Figure 17 The specific construction. Conversely, the elasticized sidesheet material contemplated in this disclosure may include any elasticized material described in this disclosure, such as... Figures 1 to 6 and Figures 13 to 15 As shown. Additionally, in some anticipated embodiments, the front side piece 709 may also be made of the elastic material of this disclosure. In some of these anticipated embodiments, the angles formed by the bonding portions of different front and rear side piece materials may be the same or different.

[0147] All documents referenced in the “Detailed Description” section are incorporated herein by reference in the relevant sections; no reference to any document should be construed as an admission that it is prior art concerning the invention. In the event of any conflict between the meaning or definition of any term in this written document and any meaning or definition of a term in the documents incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall prevail.

[0148] Those skilled in the art will recognize that this disclosure may be embodied in many forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Specifically, the various features described in conjunction with the various embodiments and drawings should not be construed as applicable only to those embodiments and / or drawings. Rather, each described feature may be combined with any other feature in various contemplated embodiments, with or without any other feature described in conjunction with these features. Therefore, deviations in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elastic material, comprising: First layer of material; The second layer of material is bonded to the first layer of material by a first pair of adhesive portions including a first adhesive portion and a second adhesive portion and a second pair of adhesive portions including a third adhesive portion and a fourth adhesive portion; as well as Elastomer strands extend laterally and are disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material. The first pair of adhesive portions and the second pair of adhesive portions are spaced apart along the elastic strands. The first adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion are located on the first side of the elastomer strand, and the second adhesive portion and the fourth adhesive portion are located on the second side of the elastomer strand. The first bonding portion crosses the elastomer strand and is located on the opposite side of the second bonding portion, and is separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the unstretched diameter of the elastomer strand. The third bonding portion crosses the elastomer strand and is located on the opposite side of the fourth bonding portion, and is separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the unstretched diameter of the elastomer strand. The first adhesive portion and the third adhesive portion include a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion of the first adhesive portion forms a first angle relative to the elastomer strand. The second adhesive portion and the fourth adhesive portion include a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion of the second adhesive portion forms a first angle relative to the elastomer strand. The first side portion of the third adhesive portion forms a second angle relative to the elastomer strand. The first side portion of the fourth adhesive portion forms a second angle relative to the elastomer strand. and The first angle is different from the second angle. Wherein the first angle is between 30 degrees and 89 degrees, and wherein the second angle is between 30 degrees and 89 degrees; The first adhesive portion, the second adhesive portion, the third adhesive portion, and the fourth adhesive portion are all parallelograms.

2. The elastic material as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third pair of adhesive portions, the third pair of adhesive portions including a fifth adhesive portion and a sixth adhesive portion, wherein: The first pair of adhesive portions, the second pair of adhesive portions, and the third pair of adhesive portions are all spaced apart along the elastic body strands. The first adhesive portion, the third adhesive portion, and the fifth adhesive portion are located on the first side of the elastomer strand, and the second adhesive portion, the fourth adhesive portion, and the sixth adhesive portion are located on the second side of the elastomer strand. The fifth bonding portion crosses the elastomer strand and is located on the opposite side of the sixth bonding portion, and is separated by a longitudinal distance smaller than the unstretched diameter of the elastomer strand. The first adhesive portion, the third adhesive portion, and the fifth adhesive portion each include a first side portion and a second side portion. The first side portion of the fifth adhesive portion forms a third angle relative to the elastomer strand, and The first angle, the second angle, and the third angle are all different.

3. The elastic material of claim 1 further includes a third pair of adhesive portions, the third pair of adhesive portions including a fifth adhesive portion and a sixth adhesive portion, wherein the fifth adhesive portion crosses the elastomeric strand and is located on the opposite side of the sixth adhesive portion, and is separated by a longitudinal distance greater than or equal to the unstretched diameter of the elastomeric strand.

4. The elastic material of claim 3, wherein the third pair of adhesive portions is positioned between the first pair of adhesive portions and the second pair of adhesive portions along the elastomeric strands.

5. The elastic material of claim 1, wherein the first angle is between 50 degrees and 88 degrees, and wherein the second angle is between 50 degrees and 88 degrees.

6. The elastic material of claim 1, wherein the first layer and the second layer are composed of separate material fiber webs.

7. The elastic material of claim 1, wherein the first layer material and the second layer material are composed of a single material web, wherein the single material web is folded on the elastomeric strands to form the first layer material and the second layer material.

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